Day 17: Excell Still more

Day 17
Theme: Excel still More

In many parables we hear about giving up everything. We see the story of the Widow’s mite, the example of the Rich Young Ruler, and many other items.
Paul gives another great challenge to us in I Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10 (NASB)

1Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.

9Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more

There are many people who have given up much to serve Christ where they felt called. Yet you will see them giving more and more. There was a famous story about Mother Teresa who was found to have feet that were all gnarled up. When asked how her feet got that way, she told the story about shoes that had been donated year after year. The orphans always felt bad about getting used shoes so she would take the ugliest, most beat up shoe in the group.

So here is someone who gave up everything, her health, wealth, EVERYTHING in order to serve. And then after giving that all up she ‘EXCELLED STILL MORE’.
Beth Guckenberger had this to say about this passage:

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they should “excel still more,” he was asking a lot from them. They were already doing so much right. They could have responded, “…praying for our enemies, check; risking our lives to worship in public, check; Sharing our faith in the face of persecution, check…,” and so on. But Paul exhorts them no to stop. Like them, our goal should be to excel still more in love, always tapping into the endless resources of our Father. We should never make excuses to stop loving, even when people are as hard to love as the birth mom of (an) abandoned nine-month old”

At this point in the devotional you probably have set up the typical walls: I will help and give time, but my money isn’t up for discussion.

Or maybe you are in a boat of saying, I tithe each Sunday, I teach a Sunday school Class… Whenever something is needed I volunteer. What more do you want from me God?

God just might be asking you, no TUGGING ON YOUR HEART, to “Excel Still More”.

Reflection:
What area in your life do you keep as off limits from God? Your travel? Your Time? Your Money?

Will you give it to God today? Let him have ALL of you so as to help you Excel Still More?